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Groovy Shrooms

Last year, while taking photographs in the woods for a multimedia project, I found a tiny red mushroom. What began as an innocent fascination is now a full on obsession (they say the first step is admitting you have a problem). Willow now sniffs out mushrooms for me then she’ll sit and wait for me to take pictures, and regulars on the trail have started pointing me in the direction of mushrooms they think I’ll enjoy. I have become the crazy-haired mushroom lady whose dog is missing half her legs (corgi superpowers of cuteness).

I’ve found a variety of mushrooms ranging from cute and colorful to vile and distressing. September is National Mushroom Month so I’m sharing my virtual mushroom collection with you. I’ve supplied names where possible, but classifying mushrooms can be difficult and I’m not confident my classifications are 100% so don’t eat weird fungi based on this blog’s classifications. Some I couldn’t name, and if you know the names or see where I’ve misidentified others, feel free to correct me in the comments section below.

The mushroom season starts off in my area with a wide variety of Russula. These mushrooms are like the beginning of a fireworks display with the more rare and colorful fungi appearing as the finale of the season.

1. Also Brittlegill and Red Cap.

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Puffballs are also abundant. In my youth, I enjoyed throwing the little white ones at my brother because sometimes they would pop on impact leaving behind a glorious green goop.

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These puffballs dotted the moss covered forest floor like a broken strand of pearls.

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7. This puffball had a seven-inch diameter and may be a sculpted puffball. I’m not sure.

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Russula and certain types of puffballs are edible, however, certain red-caps may be toxic and some puffballs are poisonous. Russula mushrooms are also referred to as brittlegill and can have a bitter taste.

Next up is the Amanita. These mushrooms are considered poisonous but are eaten in some areas (please don’t eat them unless you know what you’re doing as in rare cases, people do die from their consumption). These mushrooms are also known for their hallucinogenic properties. @_@ Again, I’m not a mushroom expert so if you tramp out to the woods and eat a funky looking mushroom in the hopes of having your own “I Am the Walrus” moment, and instead of @_@ you end up X_X then that shit is on you.

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Boletes are edible and very good for you.

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Members of the fungi family are quite diverse and colorful. If all mushrooms were the same, this post would be super dull and boring. *Wink*

13. Resembles Japanese Shimeji (but likely isn’t).

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16. Cinnabar Chanterelles (but I’m not 100%).

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18. More cinnabar?

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22. Amanita Muscaria also fly agaric or flay amanita.

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24. Redcap

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26. Turkey tail.

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31. Russula

32. Amanita Caesarea or American Ceasar. Note the bulb or egg from which the mushroom hatches.

33. If I had to guess I would say Marasmiellus nigripes.

34. Japanese umbrella.

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37. Marasmiellus nigripes

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43. Possibly an Earthstar, but could be a Puffball, and what are those odd little balls?

44. Amanita

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50. I have no idea, but if you do know, please tell me.

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53. Cinnabar.

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59. Sheep’s mane.

60. Redcap.

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62. Russula

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64. This is a terrible picture and I have no idea what this mushroom is called but it totally looks like an ear.

I apologize for my delay in getting back to you. I’ve been away from my desk for the last two weeks. Thanks! I had hoped to find a fairy ring this season. I originally took some photos for an art project and that spiraled into a full on mushroom obsession. 🙂

Not too worry, I’ve had some commitments that have taken hold of my life lately as well, so I know where you’re coming from. I’m looking to totally restructure my working environment next year…….I hope you find your fairy ring, I saw one once below Glastonbury Tor, it was in a very apt setting 🙂

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